Alexander Myaskovsky once again at the centre of a scandal

Alexander Myaskovsky, the acting head of the State Tax Service (STS) department in Zhytomyr Oblast, has become a figure in numerous scandals. 

His return to the post of head of the regional tax authority raised a host of questions, particularly in the context of the loss of position by his predecessor, Teodozia Chernetska.

According to journalists from VIY.Ukraine, after Chernetska left the leadership, flows of shadow income did not cease but were merely redistributed. Her ally and right-hand woman, Nadiya Oleinik, who retained her position along with her team from Lviv, continues to control a portion of the financial flows, receiving a share of the profits.

Appointments of "cronies" and corruption schemes
Myaskovsky actively promoted "his own" people to key positions. Among them are Pavlo Sychnevych, head of the department for the control of excisable goods; Valeriy Chaykovsky, head of the licensing department; and Serhiy Yaremchuk, head of the department of factual inspections. Despite the appointment of a tax audit head from Kyiv, Myaskovsky managed to find common ground with the new leader, establishing fruitful cooperation.

The price of loyalty
Rumours among entrepreneurs in Zhytomyr Oblast point to an established system of "negotiated inspections".

• Documentary audit inspections: from $10,000 to $20,000 in cash, depending on the enterprise's turnover. Responsible party — Dmytro Prysiazhnyuk.
• Inspections of cash operations: 10,000–50,000 hryvnia for a "coordinated" inspection. Average volume — 100–150 inspections per month.
• Monthly payments by entities: 30,000–50,000 hryvnia for each retail point.

Excise duties and "protection" for business

• Issuance of licences for fuel, alcohol and tobacco: the cost ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the enterprise and the completeness of the documents.
• Factual inspections by the excise department: standard rates and minimal fines.
• Patronage of illegal producers of alcohol and cigarettes: amounts reach tens of thousands of US dollars.

Systematic extortion and detentions
Recently, Valeriy Chaykovsky was detained by law enforcement agencies for regular extortion and receipt of bribes.

Risk management and VAT

• Exclusion of enterprises from the risk list or prevention of inclusion: 1–3% of the company's turnover.
• VAT refund: 15–17% of the amount.

All illegal income, according to sources, flows to Myaskovsky. Reports on receipts are allegedly submitted no later than the 5th of each month, after which the "cash" is sent to Kyiv.

Such actions, if confirmed, demonstrate the scale of corruption in regional tax authorities, which seriously undermines trust in the system.